Alex Poatan will have to overcome a 'curse' to win at UFC Casa Branca; understand why.

On a collision course with Cyryl Gane in a duel that could be historic, Alex Poatán will face a great challenge in the co-main event of UFC White HouseHowever, the Brazilian's mission goes beyond simply achieving a victory against the Frenchman. The most famous fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship today, the Pataxó Indian was chosen to grace the cover of the UFC 6 game, developed by EA Sports and scheduled for release this month. In this context, the most observant fans have noticed the dreaded 'cover curse', already known in the UFC for many years.

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The Cape Curse started in another sport.

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Alex Poatán He is one of the biggest names in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram.

Before gaining traction in the UFC, the idea of ​​a "gambling curse" originated in American football. The franchise Madden NFLSince 1998, EA Sports has chosen a prominent player from the league to feature on the cover of the game, and that's where one of the most famous theories in esports originated. According to some fans and even media outlets like CBS, whoever appears on the game's cover tends to experience a kind of bad luck the following year, ranging from a drop in performance and losses in important games to serious injuries.

The so-called "Madden curse" has become a recurring topic among fans, even though EA Sports denies any connection between the game and the athletes' problems. Nevertheless, the idea caught on, and paved the way for it to later reach the world of MMA.

The commitment is very important for Poatan, because he seeks to become the first champion in three weight classes in UFC history. The Brazilian won the middleweight (up to 83,9 kg) belt in 2022, the light heavyweight (up to 93 kg) belt in 2023 and 2025, and in 2026 he dreams of the interim heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg) title. Hungry for greatness, the 38-year-old veteran will need to find a way to break the curse right in the White House, one of the biggest stages possible. Will he be able to overcome the bad omen?

Relive memorable episodes from the 'Curse of the Cover'

Era Undisputed

The curse began back in 2009, when the game UFC Undisputed 2009, developed by Yuke's Osaka and distributed by THQ in May of that same year, was released. One of the most popular titles at the time, Forrest griffin He was chosen to be on the cover, and his return to the octagon three months later was marked by one of the most shameful performances of all time, when the American was completely dominated by the legendary... Anderson Silva, being knocked out in the first round.

It's worth noting that the cover also featured Georges St-Pierre in some versions of the game, but the Canadian managed to escape the "curse" unscathed.

EA Sports Era

Diaz submitted McGregor in the second round at UFC 196. Photo: Disclosure

After two years away from the gaming market, the UFC returned to the world of video games in partnership with EA Sports, replacing the former developer THQ. EA Sports UFC 1 was released in June 2014, with Jon Jones e Alexander Gustafson on the cover. In this case, both athletes appear to have been affected by the so-called "curse".

In January 2015, Jones tested positive in an anti-doping test and was out of action for over a year. Gustafsson, meanwhile, went through a difficult period: he was brutally knocked out by... Anthony Johnson, defeated by Daniel Cormier And, just as he was attempting a comeback, he was knocked out again, this time by Jones himself.

'EA Sports UFC 2' was released in 2016 and featured the duo on its cover. Ronda Rousey e Conor McGregorThe American star, who lost her bantamweight title (up to 61,2 kg) after being knocked out by... Holly holmIn 2015, the following year it suffered an even worse setback. Amanda nunes, being knocked out in 48 seconds. The Brazilian's beating was so severe that 'Rowdy' stopped fighting MMA and ventured into WWE. Meanwhile, the Irish icon was surprised by... Nate diaz, which replaced Rafael dos Anjos In a rush, and ended up being finished in the second round.

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McGregor has twice fallen victim to the Cape Curse.

K. Nurmagomedov chokes C. McGregor at UFC 229. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

McGregor once again graced the cover of EA Sports UFC 3, released in February 2018. Once again, he was subsequently defeated. The Irishman faced Khabib Nurmagomedov In a fight surrounded by controversy, and despite its enormous sales success, he was dominated and finished by the Russian.

The UFC bet on Jorge masvidal e Israel adesanya as faces of UFC 4. Adesanya won Paulo borrachinha in his next fight, but was eventually defeated by Jan BlachowiczMasvidal, however, had a harsher fate: after appearing on the cover, he was brutally knocked out by... Kamaru Usman.

The story continued in EA Sports UFC 5, the cover was announced on September 5th, with Valentina Shevchenko e Alexander VolkanovskyThis time, the "curse" struck them both again. Valentina tied 11 days later in the rematch with Alexa grasso Volkanovski did not regain the belt: he was knocked out by Islam makhachev just six days before the game's release, and even after that, it ended up being defeated by Ilia Topuria in the next fight.